Industrial Maintenance Mechanic -- Leather Manufacturing Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Industrial Maintenance Mechanic — Leather Manufacturing Operations

Location: Milwaukee, WI | Schedule: First Shift, Monday–Friday | Travel: None

At Seidel Tanning Corp, your craft keeps a heritage industry moving. As our Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, you’ll be the go-to expert ensuring uptime across our Milwaukee tannery—diagnosing issues, performing precision repairs, and keeping people and equipment safe. This is a union position covered by our collective bargaining agreement with UFCW 1473.

A day in the life

You start with priority work orders in the maintenance management system, plan needed parts and tools, then move between leather processing lines—splitters, shavers, wringers, coloring drums, and paste, toggle, and vacuum dryers—inspecting, tuning, and fixing before problems grow. Mid-morning, you’re aligning a gearbox and motor set, swapping bearings and seals, then tracking a control-circuit fault on a VFD-driven pump. After lunch, you’re on a scissor lift completing preventive work on conveyors and air systems, documenting everything so the next shift picks up where you left off.

What you’ll handle

• Perform inspections and preventive maintenance on hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and mechanical systems across production equipment.
• Service and repair leather processing machinery: splitters, shavers, wringers, coloring drums, and drying systems (paste, toggle, vacuum).
• Troubleshoot using schematics/blueprints and diagnostic tools (ammeters, ohmmeters), isolating faults in mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic domains.
• Maintain drive systems: motors, gearboxes, couplings, bearings, seals; complete precision alignments.
• Support utilities and process equipment: air compressors, pumps, wastewater treatment systems, mixers, and chemical dosing equipment.
• Weld and fabricate; use precision measuring instruments to repair or replace components to spec.
• Operate scissor lifts and similar equipment for elevated work while following strict safety protocols.
• Document work in the maintenance management system: close out work orders, log history, and schedule next actions.
• Diagnose electrical issues, read electrical blueprints, and assist with PLC-related troubleshooting.
• Work with low-voltage controls through 480V three-phase systems, starters, and VFDs.
• Uphold safety, lockout/tagout, and all regulations for electrical and machinery work.

What you bring

• Industrial maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Practical knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems; strong schematic/print reading.
• Hands-on troubleshooting and repair using multimeters (ammeters/ohmmeters) and mechanical tools.
• Welding/fabrication proficiency; skilled with precision measurement and mechanical teardown/rebuild.
• Familiarity with maintenance management software.
• Comfort operating scissor lifts (certification preferred).
• Ability to interpret complex blueprints and schematics.
• Experience with PLCs and industrial electrician practices is highly desirable.
• Completed apprenticeship, journeyman card, or military maintenance background preferred.
• Clear communication in English and effective teamwork.
• Safe troubleshooting from low voltage up to 480V.
• Strong industrial mechanic background and mechanical aptitude for equipment repair.
• Willingness to work in a wet, humid production environment.

Proficiencies we value

• Commercial Plumbing and general Plumbing
• Facilities Maintenance
• Pneumatics (repair and troubleshooting)
• Motor replacement/repair/maintenance
• Preventive Maintenance & Inspection
• HVAC and Boiler troubleshooting
• Lift truck repair & maintenance
• General Equipment/Conveyor repair & maintenance

Tools & technologies

• Conveyor Systems

Compensation & benefits

• $25–$35.00 per hour
• First shift, Monday through Friday
• No travel
• Overtime available, distributed per contract
• Health insurance/pension
• Paid holidays and vacation per contract seniority schedule
• Tools, uniforms, and boot allowance provided